Quote:
Originally Posted by Xcacel
Among these two opinions ... I am more with HonestDenver1. LT53 wasn’t a great LT after all, I mean, the setlist was great, but both performance and audio quality were not so good.
I remember I wrote a LT review here for 53:
https://www.reddit.com/r/DMB/comment...tm_name=iossmf
|
That was a fun read! Thanks for taking the time to type and share that write-up, bud.
Yeah, for me, Live Trax 53 is a little lacking in attention to detail. It's like 85 to 90% of the way there to being a solid mix/master, but the extra effort to fine tune that last 10% and take it over the top wasn't executed. I wish it had more clarity and depth. Overall, it's just a tad bit uneven and somewhat lacking polish. (Not a slam on their mixing or mastering engineer, 'cause this stuff is challenging, no doubt, and I'm sure they have a limited timetable for turnaround.)
The mix on 53 (and 54 had this issue, as well...) also feels like it's all being pushed toward the center channel compared to some of their home-run mixes (Red Rocks '95, LT 3 and LT 8, for example - those 3 shows have such incredible depth and space around each instrument). By comparison, LT 53 sounds a little bit muddy; not quite enough room for the instruments to breathe on their own and there's a few spots throughout the show where it needs better control over some of the low end dynamics, as well as a bit more high end clarity to really bring out the nuances in Roi's playing, Dave's voice, Carter's high hat work, etc. Things like that.
Anyway, I hope LT 55 has a nice mix for those who are planning on picking it up! I'm probably passing on this one... as excited as I get about each new show being announced, I know I'd probably only listen to an '09 show one time and would be unlikely to revisit it again; I feel like I have all I really want/need from that era already and simply prefer the '98-'04 years for a new release that will hold my interest for multiple listens at this point in time. But I do hope this turns out to be a good one for anyone who's getting it!